New technologies can greatly improve our quality of life, but they may also have a "dark side". What if technologies that we have not yet imagined end up being inadequately used or even intentionally abused?

The objectives of FESTOS are to identify and assess evolving security threats posed by the abuse or inadequate use of emerging technologies and new scientific knowledge and to propose means to reduce their likelihood.

Looking ahead to the year 2030, this foresight study will scan the horizon of fields such as nanotechnologies, biotechnologies and information technologies, as well as capabilities that may emerge from converging technologies.

Possible prevention means and policy measures will be studied in the context of trade-offs between security needs and the freedom of research and knowledge, taking into account shifts in public perceptions of threats and related security issues.

EFPC relevant previous experience includes security technologies as well as evolving capabilities and threats. Participating staff have experience in exploitation of emerging technologies and heavy involvement in the security sectors in several countries. EFPC also has extensive experience of Quality Management and ethical aspects of EU R&D projects.